2015 Ford F-150 Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
CautionComplaint Index
73/100
#5 most-complained of 16 F-150 years
The 2015 Ford F-150 has a Complaint Index of 73, ranking 5th worst of 16 model years, earning a 'Caution' verdict. NHTSA lists 1,710 complaints, 13 recalls, and Transmission & Powertrain issues topping the list at 24% of complaints.
- Complaints
- 1,710
- Recalls
- 13
- Crashes / fires
- 50 / 13
- Injuries / deaths
- 80 / 3
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 19.5
- 17 city / 23 hwy
Top 2015 Ford F-150 problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Transmission & Powertrain406 (24%)
- Engine393 (23%)
- Brakes334 (20%)
- Structure & Body222 (13%)
- Other209 (12%)
- Electrical System186 (11%)
- Visibility & Wipers97 (6%)
- Steering83 (5%)
- Fuel System80 (5%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires58 (3%)
What owners report
- Airbags fail to deploy during crashes, sometimes at highway speeds like 40 or 50 mph.
- Seat belts have reportedly exploded or produced smoke and burning odors during collisions.
- Brakes have been described as failing to slow the truck despite forceful pedal engagement, leading to rear-end collisions.
- Tire sidewalls have blown out, causing the truck to pull hard to one side and sideswipe or hit other vehicles.
- Structural body damage has occurred from road debris contact while driving on highway ramps.
2015 Ford F-150 recalls
13 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 26V237000Apr 14, 2026Transmission & Powertrain1,392,935 vehicles
Power train:automatic transmission
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2017 F-150 vehicles. A loss of signal between the transmission range sensor and the powertrain control module can cause the transmission to unexpectedly downshift into second gear.
Risk: Unexpectedly downshifting into second gear may result in a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will update the powertrain control module software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 24, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S28. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on April 15, 2026.
- NHTSA 20V332000Jun 8, 2020Brakes292,311 vehicles
Service brakes, hydraulic:power assist
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2014-2017 F-150 pickup trucks equipped with 3.5L Ecoboost engines. The brake master cylinder may leak brake fluid into the brake booster.
Risk: A loss of brake fluid may result in a change in brake pedal travel and feel, increased pedal effort and reduced front brake function, possibly requiring greater effort and distance to stop the vehicle. These conditions can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the brake master cylinder and inspect the brake booster, replacing it as necessary, free of charge. Ford issued owners an interim notification on June 30, 2020. The recall began on October 28, 2020. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 20S31.
- NHTSA 20V098000Feb 21, 2020Engine13,854 vehicles
Engine
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2016 F-150 pick-up trucks equipped with 3.5L GTDI engines and block immersion heaters that were potentially relocated from their originally installed location. The incorrect location could put the heater too close to hot engine components, possibly resulting in a damaged cable.
Risk: A damaged cable could cause a resistive short, increasing the risk of overheated or melted wiring, increasing the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the block heater's location and its cable, replacing components as necessary, free of charge. If the replacement parts are not available, dealers will disable the existing block heater cable from being used until parts become available. The recall began April 9, 2020. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 20S08.
2015 Ford F-150 fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 17 MPG
- Highway
- 23 MPG
- Combined
- 19.5 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $3,325
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Regular
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2015 compared with other F-150 years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2015 Ford F-150 reliable?
- Compared to other F-150 model years, the 2015 ranks 5th worst out of 16 years tracked, with a Complaint Index of 73 and a 'Caution' verdict based on NHTSA complaints and recalls.
- What is the biggest problem with the 2015 Ford F-150?
- Transmission & Powertrain issues are the top problem area, accounting for 24% of complaints (406 total), with a median failure mileage of 82,500 miles.
- Does the 2015 Ford F-150 have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 13 recalls for the 2015 F-150, covering areas including transmission control module software, brake master cylinder leaks, engine block heater issues, seat belt pretensioners, and door latch cables. None are do-not-drive recalls.
- How does the 2015 F-150 compare to the 2013 or 2018 model years?
- The 2013 F-150 has a higher Complaint Index of 100 and 'Avoid' verdict, and the 2018 has an even higher index of 93, also 'Avoid'. The 2015 model's index of 73 is lower than both but still rated 'Caution'.
- What is the fuel economy of the 2015 Ford F-150?
- The 2015 F-150 gets an EPA-rated 19.5 mpg combined (17 city / 23 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,325.